Vanessa Clayton

Multi-talented Bachelor of Music graduate Vanessa Clayton (née Spark) has demonstrated that your undergraduate degree does not necessarily determine your career path. Having worked as a broadcast journalist for the ABC in Australia and CNN in London, Vanessa now runs a Sydney-based communications business specialising in writing, web content development, marketing and media training.

What was your UNE qualification/s?

Bachelor of Music; Post Graduate Diploma in Education

Online or on-campus study?

On-campus

How was your experience with UNE lecturers?

Overall, they were friendly and encouraging and some of them were real characters too. The music department was very small and this helped to build a good sense of comradery.

What was your reason for studying at UNE?

UNE offered the course I wanted to pursue, in a country-based setting. The campus was beautiful and the colleges were great fun – a place where I made many lifelong friends.

Any plans for future study with UNE?

Not at this stage.

Your current job?

I run a Sydney based communications business specialising in writing, web content development, marketing and media training.

The personal qualities needed to do your job?

It takes hard work, persistence and lots of energy to run your own business. Building a community is also important, as well as reliable mentors and good industry peers.

If you weren’t in this line of work, what do you think you’d be doing instead?

It would have to be something creative involving design or even floristry!

Your advice for anyone interested in pursuing this type of career?

There are so many ways we can use our degrees once we leave university and some of them are not always obvious. I became a broadcast journalist with the ABC and then CNN in London after finishing my music degree, which at first didn't appear like an obvious choice, but it goes to show that we all have a multitude of options. Further studies are a great way to enhance our original skill base along the way as well.

The biggest challenge and biggest achievement you’ve experienced in your work or life in general?

The biggest challenge was re-setting my direction a few years ago after twenty years in the workforce. I realised that I had to take some time out and reassess what I wanted to do with my life. After that, I started my own business and reconnected with my creativity again.

In terms of achievements, I was thankful to accept a British Council Scholarship to study Broadcast Journalism in Wales and International Studies at Oxford University. I then had the chance to collaborate with some incredibly talented people in the UK to produce documentaries for the BBC. More recently I have written two corporate history books which were a highlight as well. It's important to acknowledge that these achievements were only possible thanks to the talented and supportive people around me. Everything is a team effort!

How has your UNE qualification aided you in your career?

I haven't directly applied what I learned at University within the workplace, (not a lot of use for musicology in the newsroom), but gaining a degree certainly helped me to learn the value of discipline, hard work and setting goals.

What inspires you inside work and outside work?

I am inspired by creative minds, enthusiasm, good planning and supportive collaboration at work. Away from the office, I am always energised when I travel, especially overseas. Plus, on a personal note, I am deeply inspired by kindness, generosity and altruistic causes - especially those relating to homelessness and mental health.

Do you volunteer your time for a community project or organisation?

Yes, I volunteer my time with a Buddhist meditation organisation called Rigpa, supporting people to meditate, calm their minds and cope with the modern world.

In this time of Covid-19, how has the virus impacted your work?

I have been conducting my meetings via Zoom and continue to work in my home office – so there has not been a lot of change!

Anything else you would like to share?

It's important to discover early what you need to keep yourself happy and well. For me it has always been meditation and swimming. Plus, I try to surround myself with well intentioned, like-minded people who have a good sense of humour!

More information on Vanessa can be found on her website: https://vanessaclayton.com.au/